If you are planning a trip to India, you may be wondering what type of clothing to bring with you on your trip. This isn’t any easy question to answer, as norms and expectations often vary radically depending on whether you are visiting a big city or a small town. Above all, you should aim to wear clothing that is slightly more modest than Western standards, especially if are visiting a town or village, as well as clothing that is well suited for the extremes of the Indian climate!

Steps

Method1

Dressing for the Climate

1

Wear lightweight clothing. Most parts of India are tropical and warm, with the exception of the northern-most regions that are in the belt of the Himalayas. Unless you are visiting up north near Kashmir or the surrounding areas, you will be experiencing tropical weather. Even in the winter it usually only drops down to 15 or 20 degrees C (59-68 degrees F), which means that packing lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton is a good idea.[1]

In central and south India during the summer, the temperature can easily reach up to 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), so it’s important to wear clothing that is breezy and light as opposed to heavy or tight-fitting.

If you are a woman, you may find that wearing long skirts is preferable to wearing pants because it will be cooler and breezier, especially as womens’ pants are often tighter than mens’.

2

Wear light-colored clothing. Try to wear white, beige or other light colors. Black and other dark colors absorb heat from the sun, making you feel even more hot. Keep this in mind especially if you are in India from March to June, which is the summer season.

3

Pack a range of clothes for mountainous regions. If you are visiting the mountainous areas of north India, pack winter clothes like sweaters, long pants and jackets, as well as a few items of warm-weather clothes like T-shirts and capris.

In the summer in the mountains, temperatures can be moderately warm during the day and plunge down at night, so having a range of clothing items is a good idea.

As you are going through your day, carry a bag with you that can hold a warm layer like a sweater in case you need to put one on as it gets colder.

4

Wear sturdy shoes. Even though you probably want to look fashionable, it’s always a good idea to wear a pair of practical shoes that offer support. Try to wear a pair of sturdy sandals or sneakers that will still be comfortable even after a long day’s walk.[2]

If you are traveling in northern regions of India, wear close-toed shoes so that your feet don’t get cold. If you are travelling in any other region of India, you can get away with wearing sandals or other open-toed shoes, which will keep your feet cool.

5

Wear rain gear in monsoon season. Monsoon season in India takes place July through September, when the country experiences over 75% of its annual rainfall. Carry a raincoat with you that you can easily take off and put on or carry an umbrella. Don’t wear leather or suede, or any other materials that you don’t want to get wet.[3]

6

Buy suitable clothing while you are there. If you don't have clothing suited for the climate, consider buying clothing while you are in India. Many markets carry both traditional clothing and Western-inspired clothing that is appropriate for the intense climate.

For hot weather, women may wish to buy lightweight harem pants and long skirts, which are quite breezy and stylish. Men may choose to buy loose cotton or linen pants, which are made of a much lighter material than jeans and are better for hot weather.

Traditional Indian clothing can also be lightweight and good to wear in the summer. It's not frowned upon for foreigners to wear traditional Indian clothes, though you should probably expect to receive some curious looks if you are not of Indian or South Asian descent.

The most well-known piece of traditional Indian womens' clothing is a sari, a long, usually embellished fabric that is draped and tucked around the wearer. Another traditional womens' clothing item is the salwar kameez, which comprises of a long short sleeve tunic over a pair of loose pants.[4]

Traditional Indian mens' clothing includes the kurta, a collarless knee-length tunic, and the dhoti, which is a length of fabric draped in the shape of pants. Other items include the sherwani, a long, knee-length jacket-style top that is often worn with churidars, tight-fitting lightweight pants, and sometimes with a long, thin scarf as well.[5]

Method2

Dressing Tastefully

1

Wear tasteful clothing in big cities. In large cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are as many people who wear Western-style clothing as there are who wear traditional Indian clothing like saris and lungis, and you will see all kinds of fashion and styles on the streets. However, though many people wear Western-style clothing, it’s still a good idea not to wear anything too outrageous or revealing as a tourist.[6]

You shouldn’t have to buy a new wardrobe if you are visiting a city in India. Pick out clothing that you like, just avoid wearing very short shorts or skirts.

If you’re a woman, you also may want to avoid wearing plunging necklines. In the end you should wear what you want, but be aware that you may be one of the only people you see wearing this revealing of a garment, and you may attract stares.

Even though you may see many Indian women with their navel exposed below their traditional short shirt (called a choli), it’s important to understand that this is a traditional garment and is not considered immodest.

2

Dress moderately conservatively in rural areas. Small towns and villages in India are typically more traditional than urban areas, and you will see more men and women dressed in traditional Indian clothing. If you are visiting a small town, dress in clothing that covers your shoulders and doesn’t come above your knees.[7]

If you are a woman, wear long skirts, capris or pants. Try to wear shirts with sleeves that don’t have low necklines.

If you are a man, wear capris or pants and a T-shirt or button-up.

3

Dress respectfully for visiting temples. Many of the holiest sites in India are also tourist destinations. If you plan on visiting temples, make sure that you are dressed respectfully. Even if you are in a large city, avoid exposing your legs by wearing pants, or a long skirt if you are a woman. Wear a modest short-sleeved shirt or a long-sleeved shirt.

Keep in mind that you may need to cover your head or take off your shoes when visiting a temple.[8]

If you don’t want to wear long sleeves, a good way to transition your outfit is to put on a shawl or scarf. Wearing a shawl or scarf is a stylish way to be able to quickly change your outfit from casual to respectful.

4

Avoid bikinis or speedos at the beach. Even though it’s completely fine to wear swimwear at the beach, you should try not to wear revealing items like bikinis or speedos. If you are a woman, wear a standard one-piece bathing suit, and if you are a man, wear board shorts or trunks.

Bring a T-shirt along with you, as well as a skirt or sarong if you are a woman to wear when you aren’t swimming or sunbathing.

Goa is one city where you won't feel out of place wearing a bikini, as it is a big tourist destination known for its beaches and parties.[9]

Method3

Staying Safe

1

Keep your valuables in a secure place. If you are a foreigner traveling to India, it’s a good idea to keep any valuables like your wallet or passport in a money pouch close to your body or in a secure pocket.[10]

This may not be necessary if you are visiting a small town. However, large cities (not just in India, but in most countries) can hold thieves and opportunists who will try to steal from tourists.

2

Don’t wear expensive jewelry. In addition to keeping your valuables close, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing diamonds, expensive watches, or other obviously expensive jewelry that could attract thieves. Instead, opt for your jewelry items that do not contain gems or precious metals.

Many women in India wear jewelry, so you shouldn’t be deterred from wearing jewelry if you usually do. Just use common sense to pick pieces that aren’t extremely valuable or dripping in rubies.

3

Wear clothing that you feel comfortable in. If you are traveling to India as a tourist, it’s important to feel comfortable and good in the clothing that you are wearing. If you are not of Indian or South-Asian decent, you will be recognized as a tourist and may attract some stares. That’s why it’s important to wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and good![11]

Community Q&A

The short answer is yes. The long answer is that you should probably try to avoid it, especially if you are visiting a small town. Know that if you dress in short shorts and a tank top you may attract stares and unwanted attention.

Unfortunately, womens' bodies are scrutinized much more intensely than mens', not just in India but in all parts of the world. For this reason, women often have stricter standards of what is "modest" and what is not.

If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.

Tips

Consider buying clothing once you get to India. There are many items like harem pants, shawls, and traditional Indian clothes that are breezy and ideal for the climate.

If you are visiting the mountains areas of India, it will be quite cold, even in the summer. Bring the proper gear to keep you warm and comfortable.

If you are a tourist, and wish to buy anything emblazoned with the Indian flag, please note that it may be hard to find, and the people of India see it as disrespectful to wear the Indian flag, or use it as drapes, or (the horror) sandals. They see the flag as something to be respected and admired, and may look down upon those wearing, say, a shirt with a huge, loud, Indian flag design on it. Small things, however (necklaces, etc.), should be fine.